Report: Browns acquiring Cooper from Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are trading wide receiver Amari Cooper and a sixth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for fifth- and sixth-round selections, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Cowboys were reportedly preparing to release the four-time Pro Bowler if they couldn't find a trade partner.
Cooper spent the last three-and-a-half seasons in Dallas, initially coming over from the Oakland Raiders in a 2018 trade deadline deal. He helped the Cowboys register the NFL's top-ranked offense twice in his three full seasons.
The Cowboys jettisoned Cooper and the $20-million salary he's due in 2022 after his production dipped in 2021. The 27-year-old finished last season with 865 yards and eight touchdowns, falling short of the 1,000-yard mark for only the second time in his career.
Despite the recent dip, Cooper projects to become the No. 1 wideout for a Browns team looking to jolt their passing attack. Donovan Peoples-Jones led the club with a modest 597 receiving yards last year.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets were among the other teams interested in acquiring Cooper, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.
Dallas will gain $16 million in cap space with the trade. The Cowboys reportedly plan to reallocate some of the savings to re-sign Michael Gallup, a pending free agent.